USEPA to Review Chloramine Use

An article published in a recent issue of the Wall Street Journal about the use of chloramines for drinking water disinfection indicates the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) will review its regulations for by-products in drinking water by the end of 2016. The article cites a USEPA spokesperson as saying the regulatory agency “plans to publish a decision by year-end on whether it will revise the rules.”

The Wall Street Journal article published on August 9 references a small but vocal number of groups from across the country that have raised questions about disinfection by-products (DBPs) associated with the use of chloramines. After ongoing public debate about the safety of chloramines, the City of Hannibal, Missouri will allow voters to decide during the November election whether the City will continue to use chloramines for water disinfection.

The USEPA website says chloramines are most commonly formed when ammonia is added in combination with chlorine to treat drinking water and provide longer-lasting disinfection as water moves through pipes to consumers.

“The use of chloramines as a secondary disinfection strategy has been an effective and affordable option to manage and control the formation of regulated DBPs. Many water systems use chloramines with great success. AE2S will continue to stay on top of the USEPA’s drinking water regulations to provide our clients with the most up-to-date information,” says Nate Weisenburger, AE2S Drinking Water Practice Leader.

USEPA published a list of Frequently Asked Questions about chloramines on its website. If you have questions about the use of chloramines in your water system, contact Nate Weisenburger, PE, AE2S Drinking Water Practice Leader, for more information.